A news story caught my attention this past week. A driving school in Seattle, WA, sold fake passing grades to at least 2,000 students seeking driver’s licenses. Some of these passing grades sold for as much as $2,000 to $4,000. They were sold to applicants who never took tests, and in some cases, did not know basic driving rules.

The story went on to cite an incident in which a state trooper tried to pull over a driver for a lane change violation. Multiple law enforcement vehicles ended up pursuing this driver over ten miles before they finally pulled over. The driver stated they did not know what to do when being pursued by a law enforcement officer. It was discovered this driver had been a student at the driving school under investigation.

I see a spiritual application of this bizarre story. There are plenty of people in the religious world who are selling fake credentials to people who are willing to ignore God’s law.

Multitudes of people have been sold counterfeit tickets to Heaven by false teachers. Some claim they are saved by faith only; others claim they are saved because they were baptized as babies; some claim they are saved because they prayed the sinner’s prayer; and yet others claim they are saved because they were predestined by God. These poor souls are “driving” around thinking they are all right with God, but one day they will face the Lord and answer to His law.

Likewise, there are many people who believe they can never lose their salvation. They have been told that once they are in God’s grace they are always in God’s grace and can never be lost. This false doctrine removes the incentive to live faithfully to God. The New Testament plainly teaches that we can fall from grace (Gal. 5:4). The people who have bought this error are not addressing the sin in their lives, and think they are right with God, but one day they will face the Lord and answer to His law.

Jesus said that divorce and remarriage results in adultery, with only one exception. A faithful spouse can put away their unfaithful spouse and remarry with God’s approval (Matt. 5:32; 19:9). Many people today are in unscriptural marriages. Those who want to remain in such marriages can easily find preachers and elders who will tell them they are right with God. However, they will one day face the Lord and answer to His law.

Liberal churches of Christ are introducing instrumental music and women preachers into their congregations. Arguments are made by preachers, elders, and professors in their colleges to support these unscriptural innovations, but one day these brethren will face the Lord and answer to His law.

Read the words of Jesus very carefully. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matt. 7:21-23).

It is one thing to be driving without the proper training and lacking a valid driver’s license. It is another thing to think you are right with God only to find out too late that you are not. Don’t take a chance with your eternal soul.